Mount Union, ranked #1 in the country in eight of nine pre-season publications, lived up to all expectations by winning its second National Championship in four years.
The Purple Raiders dominated opponents – never trailing in the second half of play until the National Championship game (21-24 at half), where Mount Union came up with 35 unanswered points in the final two quarters versus Rowan (N.J.) in winning Stagg Bowl XIV by a 56-24 count.
Individually, quarterback Bill Borchert, the Melberger Award winner as the Division III Player of the Year, completed 250 of 374 passes (.668) for 4,035 yards with 55 touchdowns and nine interceptions – including a record-setting 505 yards passing and seven touchdown passes in the Stagg Bowl.
Wide receiver Kevin Knestrick was his top target with 64 receptions for 1,488 yards and 18 scores.
Defensively, inside linebacker Jason Hall amassed 135 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss. Inside linebacker Jim Ellerhad 124 hits and outside linebacker Brian Wervey finished with 108 hits, 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
